Leah Johanna Drost | Thunder Bay, ON
PROGRAM: Health Studies, Co-op, Class of 2020
CAREER GOAL: Medicine
AWARDS: “Proudly She Marched” – Jocelyn Cowan Scholarship; Michael T. Sharratt Award
Leah Drost was a bright teen who excelled in science, so it was no surprise she heard “you should be a doctor” growing up.
But it wasn’t until she started volunteering at her local hospital that Leah realized it took more than brains and ambition to be an exceptional physician.
“I was volunteering with a little three-year-old girl, and she was really miserable and in a lot of pain. When the pediatrician came in, he was just so lovely – goofing around, making her laugh. I saw then that a great doctor is compassionate and caring, as well as smart and professional.”
Today, as Leah prepares to write the MCAT for admission to med school, she is profoundly grateful for the two awards she holds. “The money has been absolutely critical – but almost more important is the knowledge that there are people out there who want to invest in me and help me reach my dreams. It’s very humbling. Thank you.”
The Jocelyn Cowan Scholarship is generously funded by the Canadian Federation of University Women Kitchener-Waterloo Charitable Fund and a bequest from the family of the late Jocelyn Cowan. The Sharratt Award honours the late Michael T. Sharratt, long-serving professor and former AHS dean. It is funded by his family, friends and colleagues. Thank you for helping students like Leah.
